Drawing Week Brussels returns from March 28 to April 6, 2025, transforming the Belgian capital into a vibrant hub for contemporary drawing. Now in its fourth edition, the ten-day festival brings together galleries, museums, art schools, and independent spaces in a citywide celebration of works on paper. Whether you are a collector, artist, or curious visitor, the schedule offers a mix of fairs, exhibitions, talks, and hands-on activities. Below is the complete chronological lineup of events, with practical details on venues, opening hours, and ticket prices.

Opening Weekend (March 28–30)

The festival kicks off with a packed first weekend. The main anchor is the Drawing Now Art Fair, held at Tour & Taxis (Avenue du Port 86C, 1000 Brussels). This year, 45 international galleries present solo and group shows focused on drawing. Opening preview (by invitation) is on Friday March 28 from 14:00 to 21:00. Public days run Saturday March 29 (11:00–19:00) and Sunday March 30 (11:00–18:00). Tickets are €15 online, €18 at the door; students and seniors pay €10. A €25 combi ticket grants access to both the fair and the Off Drawing satellite program.

Simultaneously, Off Drawing launches on Saturday March 29 at KANAL – Centre Pompidou (Quai des Péniches 1). This curated section features 12 emerging galleries from Europe in a warehouse-style setting. Free entry from 11:00 to 20:00. On Sunday, the space hosts a Drawing Marathon where six artists create large-scale works live from 14:00 to 18:00.

Week 1: Monday March 31 – Friday April 4

The weekdays are dominated by museum exhibitions and institutional shows. Notable openings include:

  • “Line & Form: 20th-Century Drawing from the Collection” at Royal Museums of Fine Arts of Belgium (Rue de la Régence 3). Runs March 31 – September 7. Free with museum admission (€12).
  • “Paper Stories” at MIMA – Millennium Iconoclast Museum of Art (Quai du Hainaut 41). Opens April 1, 10:00–18:00. Tickets €10.
  • “Drawing Dialogues” at Bozar (Rue Ravenstein 23). A group show pairing contemporary artists with old master drawings. April 2 – June 15. Entry €14.

Several art schools open their studios to the public. La Cambre (Abbaye de La Cambre 21) hosts open drawing sessions on Wednesday April 2 from 14:00 to 17:00. ERG – École de Recherche Graphique (Rue de l’Erg 45, Saint-Gilles) presents student works on Thursday April 3, 15:00–20:00, with a talk by curator Anne-Claire Schmitz at 18:00.

Week 2: Saturday April 5 – Sunday April 6 (Final Weekend)

The closing weekend concentrates on fairs, open studios, and performances. Key events:

  • Brussels Drawing Fair at Vanderborght Building (Rue de l’Écuyer 50). Saturday 11:00–19:00, Sunday 11:00–18:00. 30 dealers offering works priced from €200 to €20,000. Admission €8.
  • Open Studios in Saint-Gilles: Over 50 artists open their ateliers along the Rue de la Source and Rue de la Victoire corridor. Maps available at the Drawing Week Info Point at Place du Jeu de Balle 12. Free, Saturday and Sunday 12:00–18:00.
  • Live Drawing Performance at Wiels Contemporary Art Centre (Avenue Van Volxem 354). Sunday April 6, 15:00–17:00. Artist Mona Hatoum creates a site-specific wall drawing. Free with museum admission (€10).

Partner Exhibitions & Satellite Events

Throughout the ten days, over 30 partner galleries and institutions host drawing-focused shows. Highlights include:

  • “Black & White” at Galerie Greta Meert (Rue du Canal 13). Works by Sol LeWitt, Eva Hesse, and Belgian artists. March 28 – May 10. Free entry.
  • “The Drawn Line” at Galerie Xavier Hufkens (Rue Saint-Georges 6–8). Group show with Louise Bourgeois, Brice Marden, and Roni Horn. April 1 – May 3. Free.
  • “Intimate Drawings” at Galerie Nathalie Obadia (Rue Charles Buls 16). Focus on small-format works by contemporary French artists. March 29 – April 19. Free.
  • “Paper Works” at Galerie Templon (Rue Veydt 13). Featuring new drawings by David Hockney and Georg Baselitz. April 3 – May 10. Free.

For a complete overview of the festival and practical tips, read The Complete Guide to Drawing Week Brussels.

Workshops & Talks

Drawing Week Brussels also offers educational programs for all ages. Booking is recommended via the official website.

Workshops

  • Life Drawing Session at Museum of Contemporary Art (M – Museum) (Rue des Sables 20). Saturday March 29, 10:00–12:00. €15, materials included.
  • Urban Sketching Walk led by Brussels Urban Sketchers. Meet at Place du Grand Sablon. Sunday March 30, 14:00–16:00. Free, bring your own sketchbook. For more on getting started, see Urban Sketching Basics.
  • Children’s Workshop: Drawing with Scissors at KANAL – Centre Pompidou. Saturday April 5, 14:00–16:00. €5 per child (ages 6–12).

Talks & Panels

  • “The State of Drawing Today” – Panel with curators Jean‑Pierre Criqui (Centre Pompidou) and Michaël Amy (independent). Friday April 4, 18:00 at Bozar. Free entry.
  • Artist Talk: William Kentridge – The South African artist discusses his drawing practice. Saturday April 5, 11:00 at Flagey (Place Sainte-Croix). Tickets €12.
  • Collecting Drawings: A Conversation – With collectors Micheline Szwajcer and Marnix Neerman. Sunday April 6, 16:00 at Galerie Greta Meert. Free.

Practical Information

Most events are concentrated in the Brussels City Center, Saint-Gilles, and Molenbeek districts. Public transport (STIB/MIVB) is recommended; a day pass costs €7.50. For tips on navigating the city, check Getting Around Brussels. The Drawing Week Info Point at Place du Jeu de Balle 12 is open daily from 10:00 to 18:00, offering free maps, festival programs, and ticket sales. For details on purchasing passes, see How to Buy Tickets for Drawing Week Brussels. For updates and last-minute changes, follow @DrawingWeekBrussels on Instagram or check the official website. For a deeper dive into the festival’s history and highlights, see The Complete Guide to Drawing Week Brussels.

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